The City of Dallas has begun removing rainbows from its crosswalks in an effort to improve traffic safety.
According to a March 20 memorandum from the City of Dallas, “decorative pavement markings on public roadways do not comply with state standards outlined in the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.” Thirty crosswalk designs are to be removed and replaced with “compliant crosswalk markings by April 28, 2026.”
An October order from Governor Greg Abbott (R) directed the state’s Department of Transportation to “remove any and all political ideologies from our streets.”
“To keep Texans moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas,” Abbott said at the time. “Any city that refuses to comply with the federal road standards will face consequences including the withholding or denial of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT.”
The Texas move aligns with a July 2025 directive from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who sent a letter to all U.S. governors, as well as the mayor of Washington, D.C., and the governor of Puerto Rico, demanding that they take action to remove political messages found on crosswalks and other roads. The letter focuses on the Safe Arterials for Everyone through Reliable Operations and Distraction-Reducing Strategies (SAFE ROADS) initiative to “help improve safety and mobility, eliminate distractions, and keep people and goods moving throughout the United States.”
Following the letter, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) ordered that state roads containing political messaging, such as LGBT content, be painted over.
